The introduction of a National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a victory for many vulnerable workers: it will put more money in the pockets of millions of farm, domestic, retail, restaurant, hairdressing, forestry, furniture, cleaning and other vulnerable, exploited and impoverished workers. The minimum wage of R20 per hour will see the wages of between 4 and 6 million South Africans rise. The NMW will also benefit workers in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) industry, particularly some clothing workers in peri-urban areas and home-textiles workers who earn less than R20 per hour.

Since 2015 SACTWU has played a role in the negotiations at Nedlac and made submissions to Parliament to ensure that the NMW best serves the poorest workers. SACTWU also made several proposals on how to enforce the NMW and what the exemptions system should look like.

Although this wage is not yet a living wage, its positive impact will still help many millions of workers to better look after their families. By increasing their buying power, the NMW will also drive demand and stimulate the economy. This must be welcomed. Nevertheless we will continue to fight for a living wage for our members, using this NMW as a platform.

An important next step for government, business and labour should be to focus on an increase in the NMW as this R20 per hour level was agreed two years ago already.